Collapsible receptacle

ABSTRACT

A collapsible receptacle has an open top and closed bottom when open, as well as a plurality of adjacent rectangular side panels, each of which defines a peripheral edge that is formed of a bottom edge, a top edge and two spaced substantially parallel lateral edges, as well as an interior area that is enclosed by the edges of each panel. A panel of substantially flexible sheet material fills the enclosed area of each side panel. The adjacent side panels are flexibly joined at their lateral edges to define, when open, a receptacle with a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along in the direction of these lateral edges. The edges define a polygon with a number of sides equal to the number of side panels and open at top and bottom edges, and a cover connected to the bottom edge of at least one side panel for closing the receptacle at its bottom end. The invention is also comprised of first and second stiffening means. The first stiffening means selectively stiffens each edge of at least one of the side panels, and second stiffens fewer than all the edges of at least one of the remaining side panels. These stiffening means are sufficiently flexible that the stiffened panel can be bent to collapse at least some of the other panels into a substantially co-planar shape, and the first stiffening means is sufficiently rigid to support and maintain all the side panels in an upright condition when not in a collapsed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention generally relates to household products, and specifically to a collapsible receptacle that can be used as a clothes hamper and conveniently stored and transported when not in use.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Collapsible structures have been proposed. For example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,560,385; 5,816,279; 6,006,772; and 6,269,826, various collapsible play structures are disclosed. These are in the form of play modules that may be connected together. A fabric material substantially covers each frame member to form a side panel when the frame member is in the unfolded condition. Also proposed is a collapsible container in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,188, which has a plurality of side panels and a floor panel forming an enclosure having an open top. Each side panel is formed of a flexible continuous loop frame, with a web of material covering each panel.

[0005] While the structures described in the aforementioned patents are very similar, they both require the use of substantially rigid continuous stiffening members that extend about the entire periphery of each side panel. However, such construction makes the entire structure stiffer than necessary, and more difficult to collapse. Additionally, because substantially continuous members need to be inserted within the peripheral sleeves or pockets of the individual panels, a substantial amount of additional effort and cost must be incurred in assembling the prior art units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In order to overcome the problems inherent in the prior art collapsible structures, a collapsible receptacle in accordance with the present invention includes a structure that has an open top and closed bottom in an open condition. The collapsible receptacle includes a plurality of adjacent rectangular side panels, each of which defines a peripheral edge formed of a top edge, bottom edge, and two spaced substantially parallel lateral edges. An area is enclosed by said peripheral edge of each panel. A panel of substantially flexible sheet material fills the enclosed area of each of the side panel, adjacent side panels being flexibly joined at said lateral edges to define, in an open condition, a receptacle having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along the direction of said lateral edges defining a polygon having a number of sides equal to the number of said plurality of side panels and open at said top and bottom edges. A cover connected to the bottom edge of at least one of said side panels is provide to close the receptacle at the bottom end of the receptacle. First stiffening means is provided for selectively stiffening each of said edges of at least one of said side panels, and second stiffening means is provided for selectively stiffening fewer than all of said edges of at least one of the remaining said side panels. Said first and second stiffening means are sufficiently flexible that said panels can be bent to collapse at least some of said panels into a substantially co-planar shape. Said first stiffening is sufficiently rigid to support and maintain all of said side panels in an upright or extended condition, when not maintained in a collapsed condition.

[0007] In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment, four rectangular side panels are provided, resulting in said polygon being a square.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The above and other objects of the invention may be more readily seen when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible receptacle in accordance with the present invention, as shown in the open or expanded condition;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the collapsible container shown in FIG. 1;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the collapsible receptacle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Referring now specifically to the drawings, in which identical or similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout, and first referring to FIG. 1, a collapsible receptacle in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

[0013] The receptacle 10 includes a plurality of adjacent rectangular side panels 12, 14, 16, 18. Each of the side panels defines a peripheral edge P. A panel 20 of substantially flexible sheet material fills each area enclosed by each of the peripheral edges P of each of the side panels.

[0014] Adjacent side panels (e.g., panels 12 and 14) are flexibly joined at the lateral edges l to define, in a open condition, the receptacle 10, having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along the direction of the lateral edges l defining a polygon (see FIG. 2) having a number of sides equal to the number of the plurality of side panels 12, 14, 16, 18, and open and the top and bottom edges. A cover C is connected to the bottom edges b of at least one of the side panels 12, 14, 16, 18 to close the receptacle 10 at a bottom end of the receptacle. A first stiffening member S1 is provided for selectively stiffening each of the edges t, b, l of at least one of the side panels, while a second stiffening member or members S2, S3 are provided for selectively stiffening fewer than all of the edges of at least one of the remaining side panels. The first and second stiffening members are sufficiently flexible that the panels can be bent to collapse at least some of the panels into a substantially co-planar shape. The first stiffening member S1 are sufficient rigid to support and maintain all of the side panels in an upright or extended position as shown, when not maintained in a collapsed condition.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated embodiment includes four rectangular side panels 12, 14, 16, 18 and these four side panels result in or define a polygon that is a square.

[0016] The first stiffening members S1 are in the form of a continuous stiffening member secured to the entire periphery P of at least one of the side panels. In the illustrated embodiment, the first stiffening members are providing on opposing parallel side panels 14, 18. The second stiffening members S2, S3 are shown as discontinuous stiffening members and these are secured to a portion of the entire periphery P of the remaining side panels. In the illustrated embodiment, the second stiffening members are providing within the side panels 12, 16. In accordance with the present invention, the second stiffening members may consist of a single discontinuous stiffening member that is formed as a single elongate rod or strip of flexible yet somewhat stiff materials that extends at least partially about an associated peripheral edge of at least one of the side panels. However, the discontinuous stiffening member forming the second stiffening members may be formed of at least two separate stiffening members, each partial extending about an associated peripheral edge of at least one of the remaining side panels. In the presently preferred embodiment, the first stiffening members are provided on alternate side panels 14, 18, and, likewise, the second stiffening members are also provided on alternate side panels 12, 16. Thus, the first stiffening members are associated with one half of the side panels, while the second stiffening members are associated with the remaining half of the side panels. It should be clear, however, that in accordance with the present invention, only a single one of the panels needs to be provided with a first, continuous stiffening member that extends entirely about the periphery of an associated side panel. It has been found that providing at least one panel with such stiffening member is typically sufficient to maintain the receptacle in a desired upright, open condition, even if discontinuous or shorter second stiffening members are provided in the remaining panels.

[0017] The vertical portions of the continuous stiffening members in, for example, panels 14 and 18, are sufficient to maintain the receptacles in an upright condition. Preferably, at least short second stiffening members are provided along the top edges of the remaining side panels to prevent the flexible sheets of material from causing the panels to collapse towards each other, and maintain the panels in substantially planar conditions, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is also clear that the stiffening members may be substantially straight members, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but may also include curved members, as shown in FIG. 3. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 are very similar, with the exception that the stiffening members along the top and bottom edges t, b are substantially straight in FIG. 1 while they are curved or arcuate in FIG. 3.

[0018] As with the prior art containers, at least one of the edges is preferably provided with elongate tubular sleeves or pockets, and at least one of the stiffening members are elongate flexible members received within said sleeves or pockets. Alternate side panel may be provided about the peripheral edges with continuous sleeves or pockets, and continuous stiffening members contained within such pockets. The remaining side panels, which are not provided with the continuous stiffening members, are provided with at least sleeves or pockets along selected portions of the peripheral edges thereof, as suggested above. Selected portions of the peripheries advantageously include those portions along the top and bottom edges, for reasons mentioned above. Other methods of attachments can be used to secure the stiffening members to the edges of the panels, including stitching, adhesive, etc.

[0019] The specific nature of the stiffening members is not critical for the present invention, and such stiffening members may be formed of flexible metallic strips or rods, such as flexible steel. Such stiffening member may also be in the form plastic strips or rods that are flexible and not brittle. Adjacent panels may be flexibly joined in any suitable or known conventional manner, as disclosed, for example, in the prior art patents discussed in the “Background of the Invention.” Such flexible joints may also be in the form of a flexible hinge.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, handles H may be attached to the receptacle 10 at any suitable points. In the presently preferred embodiments, the handles are attached to the top edges t of opposing panels 14 and 18 that are provided with the continuous sleeves or pockets and the continuous stiffening members S1.

[0021] It will be clear from this description that because not all flexible panels are provided with continuous stiffening members S1, the structure is easier to handle and takes less effort to collapse since fewer stiffening members must be bent or deformed. Each vertical joint j at which two panels are flexibly joined only includes, in the proximity of the joint, a single vertical portion of a stiffening member instead of two very similar, adjacent vertical stiffening member portions, as in the prior art. Therefore, only a single flexible vertical portion needs to be bent to collapse the structure, instead of two such flexible portions.

[0022] While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that variations and modifications will be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein and as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible receptacle having an open top and closed bottom in an open condition, said collapsible receptacle comprising: a plurality of adjacent rectangular side panels, each of said side panels defining a peripheral edge formed of a bottom edge, a top edge and two spaced substantially parallel lateral edges, and an interior area enclosed by said peripheral edge of each panel; a panel of substantially flexible sheet material filing said enclosed area of each of said side panels, adjacent side panels being flexibly joined at said lateral edges to define, in an open condition, a receptacle having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along in the direction of said lateral edges defining a polygon having a number of sides equal to the number of said plurality of side panels and open at said top and bottom edges; a cover connected to the bottom edge of at least one side panel to close said receptacle at a bottom end of the receptacle, first stiffening means for selectively stiffening each of said edges of at least one of said side panels; and second stiffening means for selectively stiffening fewer than all of said edges of at least one of the remaining side panels, said first and second stiffening means being sufficiently flexible that said panel can be bent to collapse at least some of said panels into a substantially co-planar shape, and said first stiffening means being sufficiently rigid to support and maintain all said side panels in an upright or extended condition when not maintained in a collapsed position.
 2. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein four rectangular side panels are provided and the resulting polygon is a square.
 3. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 2, wherein said first stiffening means comprises a continuous stiffening member secured to the entire periphery of said at least one of said side panels.
 4. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said second stiffening means comprises a discontinuous stiffening member secured to a portion of the entire periphery of said at least one of the remaining of said side panels.
 5. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 4, wherein said discontinuous stiffening member is formed of a single stiffening member that extends partially about an associated peripheral edge of said at least one of the remaining of said side panels.
 6. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 4, wherein said discontinous stiffening member is formed of at least two stiffening members each partially extending about an associated peripheral edge of said at least one of the remaining of said side panels.
 7. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said first stiffening means comprises stiffening members associated with approximately one half of said side panel.
 8. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said second stiffening means comprises stiffening members associated with approximately one half of said side panels.
 9. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein an even number of side panels are provided and said first and said second stiffening means alternative with successive side panels.
 10. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said flexible sheet material comprises a mesh fabric material.
 11. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein a least one of said stiffening means comprises straight members.
 12. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said stiffening means comprises curved members.
 13. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one of said edges are provided with elongate tubular sleeves or pockets and at least one of said stiffening means are elongate flexible members received with said sleeves or pockets.
 14. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 13, wherein alternate side panels are provided about their peripheral edges with continuous sleeves or pockets and continuous stiffening means contained within said pockets.
 15. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 14, wherein remaining side panels are provided with sleeves or pockets along selected portions of said peripheral edges thereof.
 16. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 15, wherein said selected portions include said top and bottom edges.
 17. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 14, wherein handles are attached to said top edges of opposing panels provided with continuous sleeves or pockets.
 18. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said stiffening means are formed of metal strips.
 19. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said stiffening means are formed of plastic rods.
 20. A collapsible receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein adjacent panels are flexibly joined at said lateral edges by means of a flexible hinge. 